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Alabama and Mississippi tumbled out of the top 10 of The Associated Press Top 25 poll Sunday and Miami and SMU moved in following a chaotic weekend in the SEC and across college football in general. Oregon is No. 1 for the sixth straight week and Ohio State, Texas and Penn State held their places behind the Ducks, who are the last unbeaten team. The shuffling begins at No. 5, where Notre Dame returned for the first time since Week 2 after beating Army for its ninth straight win. No. 6 Georgia moved up two spots, No. 7 Tennessee and No. 8 Miami each got a three-rung promotion and No. 9 SMU jumped four places for its first top-10 ranking since 1985. SMU has clinched a spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game and would play Miami, if the Hurricanes win at Syracuse this week, or No. 12 Clemson . Indiana dropped from No. 5 to No. 10 following its first loss, a 38-15 defeat at Ohio State. The Buckeyes would play Oregon in the Big Ten championship game if they beat Michigan this Saturday for the first time in four years. The Southeastern Conference's hopes for landing four spots in the College Football Playoff took a hit with two of their teams losing as double-digit favorites. Texas, Georgia and Tennessee are the only SEC teams with fewer than three losses after Alabama lost 24-3 at Oklahoma and Mississippi lost 24-17 at Florida. Alabama and Mississippi each dropped six spots in the AP poll, the Crimson Tide to No. 13 and the Rebels to No. 15. Texas A&M was the third SEC team to lose, 43-41 at Auburn in four overtimes. The Aggies tumbled five places to No. 20 but would play Georgia in the SEC championship game if they knock off Texas this week. Losses by BYU and Colorado created a four-way tie for first in the Big 12. No. 14 Arizona State, picked to finish last in the conference, handed BYU its second straight loss and is the highest-ranked Big 12 team. No. 17 Iowa State earned a five-rung promotion with its win at Utah. BYU is No. 19 and Colorado, which lost to Kansas , is No. 23. If the four teams each finish 7-2 in conference play, it's Iowa State vs. Arizona State in the Big 12 championship game. No. 11 Boise State is first among the four ranked Group of Five teams. The Broncos got a one-spot bump despite struggling to beat a two-win Wyoming team. Tulane is No. 18, UNLV is No. 21 and Army is No. 25. Oregon, which was idle, was the consensus No. 1 team for the fourth straight week. The Ducks will be unbeaten in the regular season for the first time since 2010 if they beat Washington at home Saturday. Boise State's ranking is its highest since it was No. 8 in the final poll of the 2011 season. Arizona State's ranking is its highest since it was No. 12 in the final poll of the 2014 season. Indiana-Ohio State was the final top-five matchup of the regular season. The five were the most in a regular season since 1996. There also were five in 1936 and 1943. No. 24 Missouri, a 39-20 winner at Mississippi State , returned to the Top 25 after a one-week absence. Washington State's four-week run in the rankings ended with its second straight loss, 41-38 loss at Oregon State. SEC — 8 (Nos. 3, 6, 7, 13, 15, 16, 20, 24). Big Ten — 5 (Nos. 1, 2, 4, 10, 22). Big 12 — 4 (Nos. 14, 17, 19, 23). ACC — 3 (Nos. 8, 9, 12). AAC — 2 (Nos. 18, 25). Mountain West — 2 (Nos. 11, 21). Independent — 1 (No. 5). —No. 16 South Carolina at No. 12 Clemson: It's a Top 25 matchup for the first time since 2013. Clemson's 16-7 victory in Columbia last year was the fourth of five straight wins to end the Tigers' season. —No. 3 Texas at No. 20 Texas A&M: Stakes are high for the first meeting of longtime rivals since both were in the Big 12 in 2011. Winner goes to the SEC title game. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballA groundbreaking work by Belgian surrealist Rene Magritte, which smashed auction records in New York, has an “equally magnificent” twin in Australia. An anonymous collector paid $185 million for the work overnight Wednesday, achieving a record price for the artist and a surrealist painter, according to Christie’s auction house. The previous record for a Magritte painting was $121 million set at Sotheby’s in March 2022. Magritte’s Empire of Light 1954 which sold for a world record A$185 million. Credit: Alamy Stock Photo Its near-identical sister is on rare show in Australia at the Art Gallery of NSW, a highlight of its summer blockbuster. The impressive oil is on loan from the Menil Collection in Houston, one of 117 works in the most comprehensive exhibition of the Belgian artist’s paintings ever seen in Australia. Similar in perspective and size, the two paintings differ in the silhouette of trees and another tiny detail – on close inspection the Australian version features a darkened boulder in the foreground. “As he often did, Magritte secreted details in the shadows that don’t show up in reproduction,” says Nicholas Chambers, curator of the Magritte retrospective. Magritte’s The Dominion of Light, 1954, on show at the Art Gallery of NSW. Credit: Paul Hester “In the Menil Collection work at the gallery, for example, a boulder sits in the absolute foreground, barely discernible in the darkness and standing witness to the uncanny scene.” Like Claude Monet, who painted haystacks multiple times across times of day, seasons and weather conditions, Magritte used the same composition of a lamplit urban house to paradoxically blend night and day, shadow and light.

One day before Texas and Georgia face off in the Southeastern Conference championship game, the Longhorns earned a surprising victory over the Bulldogs on the recruiting trail. Justus Terry, a defensive lineman from Manchester, Georgia, announced Friday he would be leaving his home state to play for Texas next year. Terry, who also was considering Georgia and Auburn, had been the nation’s top remaining uncommitted 2025 prospect. The addition of Terry gives Texas the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class, according to composite rankings of recruiting sites compiled by 247Sports. “We’re super pumped about this recruiting class,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said Thursday, before Terry had announced his decision. “This is a very talented group of players that I think not only fit the physical characteristics of what we’re looking for by position in our program, but I think meet the character and are going to fit nicely into our culture.” Although there will be an additional signing period in February, 247Sports officials said Texas should maintain its No. 1 standing. The overwhelming majority of Power Four recruits already finalized their college plans this week. The top 11 classes as of Friday afternoon include eight Southeastern Conference schools and three Big Ten programs. Alabama is second, with Georgia third, Oregon fourth and Ohio State fifth. Auburn, LSU, Texas A&M, Michigan and Tennessee round out the top 10. Florida is 11th. The highest-rated recruiting classes outside the SEC and Big Ten are Notre Dame at No. 12 and Miami at No. 14. Terry is the nation’s No. 2 defensive lineman and No. 10 overall prospect, according to the 247Sports Composite. His decision gives Texas nine of the 247Sports Composite’s top 66 prospects. Texas’ other recruits rated 66th or better include safety Jonah Williams (No. 8), wide receivers Kaliq Lockett (No. 22) and Jamie Ffrench (No. 32), defensive lineman Lance Jackson (No. 25), all-purpose athlete Michael Terry III (No. 43), cornerbacks Kade Phillips (No. 54) and Graceson Littleton (No. 65), and linebacker Elijah Barnes (No. 66). “I think it’s a really versatile class with a variety of positions, highlighted by high-level players,” Sarkisian said. “As always, we really pride ourselves on recruiting the high school ranks. We think when we can get players in here young, then immerse them into our culture, into our off-season conditioning program, develop them as we go throughout their career, that’s when we really reap the benefits of having these guys in our program. This class is no different.” With the early signing period concluding Friday, the focus on college roster construction now turns to transfers. The transfer portal window officially opens Monday, though numerous college players already went to social media this week to announce their intentions to transfer. The early signing period was moved up a few weeks this year so that high school seniors could get their decisions out of the way before the opening of the transfer portal window. This marked the first signing period since the demise of the national letters of intent that prospects had sent in the past after signing with their respective schools. Athletes now are signing their names to a financial aid agreement that can include name, image and likeness agreements along with the standard tuition and room and board details. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

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tomch/iStock Unreleased via Getty Images Alphabet Inc. ( NASDAQ: GOOGL ) ( NASDAQ: GOOG ) remains one of our favorite tech coverage picks for the mid-to long-term guys. We're updating our thoughts on the stock after Bloomberg reported that the Tired of losing money? Our Tech Contrarians team of Wall Street analysts sifts through the noise in the tech industry and captures outperformers through a coveted research process. We let the work speak for itself here . Tech Stock Pros is a team of three former technology sector engineers with a long history of investing in the tech sector. Tech Contrarians Learn more Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

NEW YORK , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with market evolution powered by AI - The global gift card market size is estimated to grow by USD 1.1 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 14.46% during the forecast period. Growth of E-commerce sector is driving market growth, with a trend towards rise of open-loop gift cards. However, additional loss of money in using gift cards poses a challenge.Key market players include Alighieri, Blackhawk Network Holdings Inc., Card USA Inc, Duracard Plastic Cards, Fidelity National Information Services Inc., Fiserv Inc., FleetCor Technologies Inc., Givex Corp., Hennes and Mauritz AB, InComm Payments, JIFITI PRODUCTS, Kindcard Inc., PineLabs Pvt. Ltd., Plastek Card Solutions Inc., Runa Network Ltd., Square Inc., Tele Pak Inc., TransGate Solutions, Village Roadshow Ltd., and Yiftee Inc.. AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF Key Market Trends Fueling Growth Gift cards have become a popular trend in both physical and digital retail spaces. Prepaid cards loaded with a specific amount of money are widely used for various payments at stores, websites, restaurants, and even for experiences like travel and OTT platforms. Consumers love the convenience of gifting without the hassle of carrying cash or tangible gifts. Businesses, retailers or brands, other businesses, and corporate clients use gift cards as rewards & incentives for customer loyalty, employee engagement, and B2B sales. Digital gifting options have gained popularity among younger generations, especially Millennials and Gen Z, who prefer cashless transactions and e-commerce activities. Impacting factors include loyalty programs, customer behavior, internet penetration, and the Demonetization and Digital India initiatives. Market participants include FinTechs, PayTechs, and mobile wallets, offering digital platforms for gifting, making the process more practical, customizable, and environmentally friendly. Strategic alliances between retailers, travel companies, and content platforms like SonyLiv, Zee5, MakeMyTrip, Yatra, Cleartrip, Thomas Cook , Ola, Starbucks, Domino's, Chaayos, and E-Commerce Market have further boosted the trend. Gift cards serve as a marketing tool for brand owners, offering tax-advantage cards, e-gifting, M-commerce, and E-commerce options. An increasing trend among vendors is the launch of open-loop gift cards instead of closed-loop ones. Open-loop cards, which are not limited to a specific business and are branded with payment card processors like Visa, MasterCard, and American Express, offer greater flexibility for customers. With acceptance almost everywhere, these cards have gained popularity. InComm Payments, a leading UK-based company, introduced Vanilla Go, a global open-loop gift card brand, several years ago. Continuous innovation in this segment is driving growth for vendors. Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample! Market Challenges Gift cards have become a popular payment method for consumers during special occasions like birthdays, holidays, and other celebrations. Prepaid cards, offering an amount of money for payment at various stores, websites, restaurants, and retail establishments, have gained traction among businesses and individuals alike. For the giver, convenience is a key factor, as digital gifting options allow for instant delivery. However, challenges persist. Consumers prefer tangible gifts, and younger generations, including Millennials and Gen Z, increasingly opt for cashless transactions. Retailers and brands, other businesses, and corporate clients use gift cards as rewards & incentives, employee engagement tools, and marketing strategies. Impacting factors include loyalty programs, customer behavior, internet penetration, and the growing popularity of mobile wallets and digital platforms. In the retail sectors, travel companies, OTT platforms like SonyLiv and Zee5, and food chains such as MakeMyTrip, Yatra, Cleartrip, Ola, Starbucks, Domino's, and Chaayos, have embraced gift cards as a strategic alliance to boost sales, cash flow, and customer loyalty. Digital services, including e-commerce marketplaces and spa services, have also seen in demand for digital gifting options. The challenges for market participants include tax-advantage cards, e-gifting, M commerce, and e-commerce, as well as the need for strategic alliances and the integration of digital cards, virtual cards, and mobile gift cards into their offerings. The impact of demetization, the Demonetization initiative, and FinTechs and PayTechs on the payment methods and customer journeys in physical retail spaces and online retail spaces continues to shape the gift card market. Gift cards offer an additional spending opportunity beyond the initial credit. However, they come with certain challenges. For instance, some cards have expiration dates, requiring users to utilize them within a specified timeframe. With busy schedules, this may result in unused funds or even the loss of the card. Additionally, gift cards are available in various denominations, leading to leftover balances after purchases. These unused amounts cannot be refunded or transferred, resulting in wasted funds. To mitigate these issues, consider digital gift cards or setting reminders for expiration dates. Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report Segment Overview This gift card market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 E-gifts cards 1.2 Physical gift cards 2.1 Offline 2.2 Online 3.1 North America 3.2 Europe 3.3 APAC 3.4 Middle East and Africa 3.5 South America 1.1 E-gifts cards- E-gift cards have become a popular and convenient gifting solution in the retail sector, offering enhanced versatility and flexibility over traditional physical cards. These digital cards are instantly delivered via email, eliminating logistical barriers and serving as a suitable last-minute gifting option for consumers with busy lifestyles. The growth of e-gift cards is driven by the increasing digitalization of the retail industry and the convenience they offer to both senders and receivers. In the corporate sector, e-gift cards have gained traction as a preferred gifting option for employees, clients, and stakeholders, reducing the effort required to select personalized gifts. Vendors benefit from e-gift cards as they eliminate printing costs and can be easily integrated with their core products and services, increasing operational efficiencies. The launch of full-service gift card malls, such as TheGiftCardShop.com by InComm Payments, further simplifies the process of sending e-gifts. These factors are expected to fuel the growth of the e-gift card segment in the market during the forecast period. Download complimentary Sample Report to gain insights into AI's impact on market dynamics, emerging trends, and future opportunities- including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) Research Analysis Prepaid gift cards have revolutionized the way we express love, gratitude, and appreciation. These plastic or digital cards allow the recipient to use a specific amount of money for payment at various stores, websites, restaurants, and businesses. The convenience of gift cards makes them a popular choice for consumers, especially younger generations, who prefer e-gifting, M commerce, and e-commerce. Consumer behavior trends show an increasing preference for gift cards as they offer flexibility and convenience. Retail outlets, restaurants, and businesses use gift cards as a marketing tool to boost sales and customer loyalty. Strategic alliances between brands and card issuers further expand the reach of gift cards. Digital and virtual cards add to the convenience, allowing instant delivery and easy redemption. Mobile gift cards offer contactless payment options, making them a preferred choice during the pandemic. With the rise of e-commerce and m-commerce, gift cards have become an essential component of the retail landscape. Market Research Overview Prepaid gift cards have revolutionized the way we express love, gratitude, and appreciation. These cards allow the giver to load an amount of money onto a card, which can be used for payment at various stores, websites, restaurants, and businesses. The recipient enjoys the convenience of making cashless transactions for their purchases, especially during special occasions like birthdays, holidays, or other celebratory events. Digital gifting options have become increasingly popular among consumers, especially younger generations such as Millennials and Gen Z. With the rise of mobile wallets and digital platforms, consumers can now send digital gift cards to their loved ones online. This trend is impacting various retail sectors, including travel companies, OTT platforms like SonyLiv and Zee5, food chains such as Starbucks, Domino's, and Chaayos, and e-commerce marketplaces. Factors like loyalty programs, customer behavior, and internet penetration are driving the growth of the gift card market. Brands and retailers use gift cards as a marketing tool to boost sales, customer engagement, and cash flow. Other businesses, including corporates and individual users, also use gift cards for B2B sales, employee engagement, and tax-advantage cards. The convenience, customizability, and practicality of gift cards make them a preferred choice for consumers. Moreover, the growing trend of e-gifting, M commerce, and strategic alliances between digital services and physical retail spaces are further expanding the market's reach. The impact of the Digital India initiative and demonetization on e-commerce activities have also contributed to the growth of the gift card market. FinTechs and PayTechs have entered the market, offering innovative payment methods and customer journeys, making it a dynamic and exciting space to watch. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Type E-gifts Cards Physical Gift Cards Distribution Channel Offline Online Geography North America Europe APAC Middle East And Africa South America 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE TechnavioBy WILL WEISSERT, JUAN ZAMORANO and GARY FIELDS PANAMA CITY (AP) — Teddy Roosevelt once declared the Panama Canal “one of the feats to which the people of this republic will look back with the highest pride.” More than a century later, Donald Trump is threatening to take back the waterway for the same republic. Related Articles National Politics | President-elect Trump wants to again rename North America’s tallest peak National Politics | Inside the Gaetz ethics report, a trove of new details alleging payments for sex and drug use National Politics | An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump National Politics | Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal National Politics | House Ethics Committee accuses Gaetz of ‘regularly’ paying for sex, including with 17-year-old girl The president-elect is decrying increased fees Panama has imposed to use the waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. He says if things don’t change after he takes office next month, “We will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America, in full, quickly and without question.” Trump has long threatened allies with punitive action in hopes of winning concessions. But experts in both countries are clear: Unless he goes to war with Panama, Trump can’t reassert control over a canal the U.S. agreed to cede in the 1970s. Here’s a look at how we got here: What is the canal? It is a man-made waterway that uses a series of locks and reservoirs over 51 miles (82 kilometers) to cut through the middle of Panama and connect the Atlantic and Pacific. It spares ships having to go an additional roughly 7,000 miles (more than 11,000 kilometers) to sail around Cape Horn at South America’s southern tip. The U.S. International Trade Administration says the canal saves American business interests “considerable time and fuel costs” and enables faster delivery of goods, which is “particularly significant for time sensitive cargoes, perishable goods, and industries with just-in-time supply chains.” Who built it? An effort to establish a canal through Panama led by Ferdinand de Lesseps, who built Egypt’s Suez Canal, began in 1880 but progressed little over nine years before going bankrupt. Malaria, yellow fever and other tropical diseases devastated a workforce already struggling with especially dangerous terrain and harsh working conditions in the jungle, eventually costing more than 20,000 lives, by some estimates. Panama was then a province of Colombia, which refused to ratify a subsequent 1901 treaty licensing U.S. interests to build the canal. Roosevelt responded by dispatching U.S. warships to Panama’s Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The U.S. also prewrote a constitution that would be ready after Panamanian independence, giving American forces “the right to intervene in any part of Panama, to re-establish public peace and constitutional order.” In part because Colombian troops were unable to traverse harsh jungles, Panama declared an effectively bloodless independence within hours in November 1903. It soon signed a treaty allowing a U.S.-led team to begin construction . Some 5,600 workers died later during the U.S.-led construction project, according to one study. Why doesn’t the US control the canal anymore? The waterway opened in 1914, but almost immediately some Panamanians began questioning the validity of U.S. control, leading to what became known in the country as the “generational struggle” to take it over. The U.S. abrogated its right to intervene in Panama in the 1930s. By the 1970s, with its administrative costs sharply increasing, Washington spent years negotiating with Panama to cede control of the waterway. The Carter administration worked with the government of Omar Torrijos. The two sides eventually decided that their best chance for ratification was to submit two treaties to the U.S. Senate, the “Permanent Neutrality Treaty” and the “Panama Canal Treaty.” The first, which continues in perpetuity, gives the U.S. the right to act to ensure the canal remains open and secure. The second stated that the U.S. would turn over the canal to Panama on Dec. 31, 1999, and was terminated then. Both were signed in 1977 and ratified the following year. The agreements held even after 1989, when President George H.W. Bush invaded Panama to remove Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega. In the late 1970s, as the handover treaties were being discussed and ratified, polls found that about half of Americans opposed the decision to cede canal control to Panama. However, by the time ownership actually changed in 1999, public opinion had shifted, with about half of Americans in favor. What’s happened since then? Administration of the canal has been more efficient under Panama than during the U.S. era, with traffic increasing 17% between fiscal years 1999 and 2004 . Panama’s voters approved a 2006 referendum authorizing a major expansion of the canal to accommodate larger modern cargo ships. The expansion took until 2016 and cost more than $5.2 billion. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino said in a video Sunday that “every square meter of the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to.” He added that, while his country’s people are divided on some key issues, “when it comes to our canal, and our sovereignty, we will all unite under our Panamanian flag.” Shipping prices have increased because of droughts last year affecting the canal locks, forcing Panama to drastically cut shipping traffic through the canal and raise rates to use it. Though the rains have mostly returned, Panama says future fee increases might be necessary as it undertakes improvements to accommodate modern shipping needs. Mulino said fees to use the canal are “not set on a whim.” Jorge Luis Quijano, who served as the waterway’s administrator from 2014 to 2019, said all canal users are subject to the same fees, though they vary by ship size and other factors. “I can accept that the canal’s customers may complain about any price increase,” Quijano said. “But that does not give them reason to consider taking it back.” Why has Trump raised this? The president-elect says the U.S. is getting “ripped off” and “I’m not going to stand for it.” “It was given to Panama and to the people of Panama, but it has provisions — you’ve got to treat us fairly. And they haven’t treated us fairly,” Trump said of the 1977 treaty that he said “foolishly” gave the canal away. The neutrality treaty does give the U.S. the right to act if the canal’s operation is threatened due to military conflict — but not to reassert control. “There’s no clause of any kind in the neutrality agreement that allows for the taking back of the canal,” Quijano said. “Legally, there’s no way, under normal circumstances, to recover territory that was used previously.” Trump, meanwhile, hasn’t said how he might make good on his threat. “There’s very little wiggle room, absent a second U.S. invasion of Panama, to retake control of the Panama Canal in practical terms,” said Benjamin Gedan, director of the Latin America Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington. Gedan said Trump’s stance is especially baffling given that Mulino is a pro-business conservative who has “made lots of other overtures to show that he would prefer a special relationship with the United States.” He also noted that Panama in recent years has moved closer to China, meaning the U.S. has strategic reasons to keep its relationship with the Central American nation friendly. Panama is also a U.S. partner on stopping illegal immigration from South America — perhaps Trump’s biggest policy priority. “If you’re going to pick a fight with Panama on an issue,” Gedan said, “you could not find a worse one than the canal.” Weissert reported from West Palm Beach, Florida, and Fields from Washington. Amelia Thomson-Deveaux contributed to this report from Washington.

JLR announces Defender Dakar programAll products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Can you hear it? Sleigh bells ringing in the distance, the snow is starting to fall and Christmas movies are rolling out: Love them or hate them, the holidays are here. See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news A season of joy and happiness sweeps over the globe once a year, but no matter how you might feel about the holidays, there’s always something to be grateful for and giving gifts is a show of appreciation to the people you love most. Even for the early-bird shoppers, finding the right gift can be a challenge, and that’s where we come in. Billboard’s e-comm team tests out hundreds of items to give our keep our readers in the know about everything we’re loving — from the trendiest looks to the coolest gadgets. To get the holiday vibes going, Billboard has returned with the Shop 100 . Our annual shop list compiles the best in electronics, beauty, fashion and other giftable goodies. For music lovers, certified audiophiles and anyone looking for a comprehensive gift guide to make holiday shopping run a little smoother, the Shop 100 is here to help. What made our list this year? From portable Bluetooth speakers and earbuds to the hottest gaming consoles, the best over-ear headphones on the market (tested by Billboard’s e-comm editor). You’ll also find a range of holiday gift offerings including jewelry, toys, books, beauty essentials and celebrity-owned gifts options from Beyoncé, Selena Gomez, Rihanna, Dolly Parton, Snoop Dogg and other stars. Ready to dive into the Shop 100? Keep reading to check out our best gift picks of the year. Part frame, part speaker. Samsung Music Frame is one-of-a-kind speaker, surprisingly suitable for large and small spaces. What’s so great about the Frame? It’s worthy of hype – from sound quality to size. Plus, you can swap out the photos, mount it on a wall like a real frame or place it on a surface. Shop Samsung’s limited-edition Wicked Samsung Frame here . Cheaper in price, but not in quality. Meta Quest 3S has all the necessary bells and whistles for a quality VR experience with some necessary updates – namely in the headset’s weight and overall fit. Bose Ultra Open Earbuds fit on the lower helix of the ear instead of sitting directly inside, which gives you a uniquely immersive listening experience. They’re super comfortable (BLACKPINK’s LISA loves how they fit), lightweight and available in black, white, moonstone blue, sandstone, white smoke, chilled lilac and other colors. This Nike men’s puffer stands up to the cold while keeping you perfectly warm. Made with Nike’s PrimaLoft Thermoplume insulation and water-repellent ripstop fabric, Nike Sportswear’s men’s puffer is available black, iron gray, green, yellow, light blue and royal blue (sizes ranging from XS to 4XL tall). Between designs and function, Sonos Ace hits the right marks with 30 hours of battery, Active Noise Cancellation, spatial audio, Dolby Atmos, active head tracking and the list goes on. Sonos Ace headphones are available on black and white. Apple packed a lot of power in this 5x5x2-inch device. The all-new M4 chips transforms Mac Mini into a unstoppable processor that’s great for editing, music production and other creative tasks. 2024 saw the return of more than a few classics. Among them? The Beats Pill. The portable speaker made a comeback with a stronger battery and better sound quality. Enhanced in power and sound quality, Apple’s AirPods 4 features the powerful H2 chip, with personalized Spatial Audio and dynamic head tracking. AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation takes the technology a step further featuring adaptive audio, transparency mode to hear the world around you and Conversation Awareness, which lowers the volume when you’re speaking to someone. TV in the palm of your hands. The new Google TV Steamer lets you stream Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, YouTube and other streaming platforms in 4K HDR. Equipped with Dolby Vision, the streaming device is 22 percent faster than its predecessor. The holidays means it’s time to party! This JBL speaker will last you well beyond the festive season and into the new year. JBL’s Party 100 features hi-powered sound, a 12-hour battery and LED lighting that syncs to the music. It’s also splashproof and dustproof. Cher: The Memoir is the first in a two-part biography series from the music legend. Travel back to the 1984 through Prince and Purple Rain . The book features rare photos and memorabilia of the Purple One in all his glory. Rock out with this wireless guitar controller from PDP Riffmaster. The controller is compatible with Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10/11 PC, Rock Band 4 , Fortnite Festival and Audio Jack . Shoot for the stars, land on the moon. Lego and Pharrell Williams teamed up for Over the Moon, an motivational builder’s set that reminds you to aim high. Drop the beat! A cute set is for kiddie DJs in training. The Let the Beet Drop set features a light-up DJ Bunny, carrot and beet seesaw with 10 sound effects, a blueberry slider, melon spinner and melon turntable complete with scratching sounds. Samsung’s Galaxy Tab A9 offers 4GB RAM, 64GB of memory, 128GB of storage and an 11-inch display screen to stream, play music and take video calls during (and after) the holidays. Let’s get loud! Bose SoundLink has a good amount of sound power and 30 hours of playtime. Available in black and blue, the SoundLink features Bluetooth 5.0, an IP67 water-resistant rating and it measures 4.73 x 10.42-inches. The Hatch 2 helps you sleep deeper and longer with multiple sleep sounds — white noise, pink noise, brown noise and more. Easily one of the best collection from Rare Beauty, Find Comfort is a refreshing array of fragrances, body wash and lotions to add more comfort to your self-care routine. Gloss Bomb is an icon, so why not stock up? Fenty Beauty’s holiday gift set comes with 10 luscious, Gloss Bomb lip glosses including Fu$$y, Hot Cherry, Diamond Milk, Cake Shake, Trophy Wife along with new shades: Purple Pepp’r, Smoke’d Quartz, Idoll’ize You and Roast ‘Em. Dyson Airwrap with a festive makeover. Dyson’s an all-in-one styling wand is designed for various hair types. One of New Balance’s bestsellers makes a stylish holiday gift. For comfort and style, slip into the New Balance 330. Luxury in a bottle. Beyonce’s Cécred haircare line delivers a salon-like experience at home, and yes, the products actually work (I highly recommend the clarifying shampoo and hydrating conditioner). Victor & Rolloff’s Flowerbomb blends ruby orchid with Red Roxy Vanilla Bean and vine peach accord. YSL’s MYSLF is a woodsy scent with bergamot and fresh orange blossom. A three-in-one hair curler with a swappable barrel with nine adjustable heat settings, what’s not to love? Pattern Beauty’s innovative hair tool lets steam do the talking. The hair steamer can be used to detangle to hydrate, stretching and deep condition your hair. “See you in space, cowboy.” Logic collaborated with Crunchyroll on an anime-inspired capsule collection that includes this Cowboy Beebop Varsity Jacket. Timberland celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready to D.I.E. album with a special installment of the classic, 6-inch boot available in black and wheat. “Love is like a butterfly.” Dolly Parton’s Kendra Scott collaboration is inspired by her 1974 hit. The Gold Air Heart necklace represents Parton’s love for music. Nameplate necklaces are out, initial necklaces are in. Abbott Lyons Bubble Initial Necklace comes in gold or silver and chain sizes ranging from 14 to 24-inches long. Ring in the holidays with a lovely gift set from Gorjana. The three-piece set comes in silver or 18k gold plated settings. A little shimmer never hurts! Pandora’s sparkling Tennis Bracelet is adorned with cubic zirconia stones with a gold plated, rose plated or sterling silver bracelet. Mejuri’s Heirloom ring was made to be passed down — and it happens to be one of of Taylor Swift’s favorite rings . The ring is available in garnet, blue topaz, London blue topaz and honey quartz stones. Oura Ring is the tech version of jewelry. The smart ring tracks your sleep, stress, heart rate and more. Adidas Solar powered headphones offer to up to 80 extra hours of playtime and and made from recycled materials. Cushion on the pavement. Nike’s Motiva sneaker is made for walking in ultimate comfort with next-level cushioning and enough grooves to help you step into a new era. Meta’s Ray Ban Smart Glasses seem like something you might see in a spy movie but modernized for present day. You can record, takes calls and check Instagram and Facebook with these glasses. Feel the chill. Alo Yoga’s Sherpa Hat is a cozy gift for the fashionably fierce. There’s a reason why Carhartt’s cuffed beanie has been around for almost 40 years. Apart from being affordable and extremely warm (not too thick, not too thin), you can get them in a bunch of different colors besides black, brown, grey and white. Dangerously comfortable and perfect for gifting. The Bean Boots from L.L. Bean’s Noah Kahan collection are almost out of stock in men’s sizes, so don’t wait to snag these (also available in women’s sizes ). Say hello to style and sophistication. The Coach Leah Loafer is a great addition to any closet. Nothing says cozy footwear like an ubersoft, crochet Ugg slipper (available in cream, black and charcoal). Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty released a festive, paisley Onsies for the whole family. Carhartt isn’t just for craftsmen, ranchers, and mechanics. It’s also a growing brand in streetwear fashion. Made from thick ringspun cotton duck, The Carhartt Detroit Jacket is a sleek and stylish piece of outerwear that’s durable and warm for the fall and winter months. It honestly feels like you’re wrapped in a cozy blanket. The jacket comes in two colors, Carhartt brown and black, as well as in a wide range of different sizes. – Rudie Obias Zara’s faux leather Bomber Jacket offers a slouchy, oversized fit that you can style up or down. Up, up and away! The Bigger Carry-On is touted as one of the best bags for travel (it’s pilot and flight attendant-approved). Away’s Carry-On collection of durable suitcases are available in different sizes and several colors including black, brown, navy, orange, red and olive green. The perfect travel buddy. Rare Beauty’s Puffer Travel Tote became my favorite travel bag this year — it’s super trendy with plenty of space to pack your wallet, tech gadgets, clothes and other essential — and easy to clean. Make it a Coach Christmas! The Brooklyn Shoulder Bag 28 comes in five colors including maple, black, stone, dark ruby and dark cedar. A camera bags, but make it fashion. From Swift to Hilary Duff and Megan Fox, lots of celebrities have sported camera bags. This Tory Burch bag is a smaller, crossbody purse that’s perfect for a night on the town. Whether you’re streaming a music festival, live concert, sporting event, movie or your favorite TV series, Sonos Arc changes the way you experience entertainment. The soundbar works especially well in smaller rooms and is designed for TVs of 50-inches or more (or slightly less, in my case). The Arc features 11 drivers, Dolby Atmos, Apple TruePlay, voice control and other capabilities. A slew of new, PS5 consoles hit the market this year including the PS5 Pro, one of the latest consoles joining the Sony’s lineup alongside the PS5 Slim and 30th anniversary consoles . The bestselling Xbox Carbon Black holds up nicely with 1TB of storage, 4K gaming with 120 FPS. The legacy lives on. The Chronicles of DOOM: Unraveling Rap’s Masked Iconoclast paints a moving portrait of the mysterious rapper starting from his childhood to his passing in 2020. E.V.E is spilling t-e-a in her bestselling memoir Whose That Girl? From growing up in Philadelphia to rap stardom, marriage and motherhood, the “Illest Pitbull in a Skirt” continues to evolve. Snoop Dogg’s Skechers collab has expanded from sneaker to slides and comfy clogs. The Arch Fit Footsteps clog features charms with Snoop’s face. Adidas OG Sambas look even better in the viral Earth Stone colorway. A beautiful translation of Ithell Colquhoun’s artistry, Dr. Marten’s 1460 boot utilized the late British painter’s decalcomania technique to create this design. You’ll be seeing things more clearly with Samsung’s Crystal UDH TV. Bring the arcade home. This top-selling arcade cabinet comes preloaded with NBA Jam , NBA Jam Tournament Edition and NBA Hangtime . Apple’s iPad Mini has a turbo A17 Pro chip with an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display. If you’re looking for a gift for someone who lives in an apartment, then the Solo Stove Mesa is an ideal pick to create a bit of ambiance in a limited outdoor space. It’s a small fire pit that sits safely on top of a table with its included ring stand in a patio or balcony, while the Solo Stove Mesa is smokeless with the company’s iconic “Signature 360-degree Airflow” system to keep fires contained and burning throughout an evening outside. It comes in nine colors, such as stainless steel, water, ash, mulberry, deep olive and more. — Rudie Obias Google Pixel 9 has a 24-hour battery, a 6.3-inch display screen, 128GB of storage, and Google’s most powerful camera to date. A powerful Bluetooth speaker for the size and price. The Wylen II features 17+ hours of listening time (it takes 2.5 hours to fully charge). It’s IP67 dust and waterproof means that it can be safely submerged in up to 3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes (available in black and cream). Victrola’s Fully Automatic Turntable is equipped with Bluetooth and AudioTechnica cartridge for top-tier audio. A comfortable chair is pivotal to any gaming setup. Available in black, blue, pink, red and white, the N-Gen Video Gaming chair features a footrest, headrest and lumbar pillow. Lisa Marie Presley shares never-before-told stories in this moving memoir written before her death in 2023 and completed by her daughter Riley Keough. Jojo has persevered through child stardom to finding her own form of balance. The “Too Light Too Late” singer recounts the ups and down of fame in Over the Influence . Dolly Parton’s Good Lookin’ Cookin’ cookbook is a collection Southern staples including barbecue spare ribs, colorful coleslaw, mac and cheese and strawberry shortcake. T-Pain is spicing things up for his latest collaboration with Spicewalla. The Sauce is the brand’s first-ever hot sauce. From country music to haircare, fragrances and SirDavis Whisky, Beyoncé is covering all the bases. SirDavis is an 88 proof whiskey (not for the faint of heart) that stands out just as well as it blends in. Fans of Hell’s Kitchen and Love Island are familiar with HexClad’s viral cookware. The brand’s 10-inch pan is designed for frying, sautéing and searing. Kelly Rowland, Oprah Winfrey and Hailey Bieber are some of the stars that have used HexClad. A portable pot for meats, veggies, grains and enough one-pot meals to get you through winter? Sounds like a dream come true. It’s KitchenAid’s beloved stand mixer, but in a sleek Evergreen colorway with a gorgeous, wooden bowl. Jadakiss is in the coffee business. The New York rapper launched KISS Café with his father and son in 2022. Named after Jadakiss (Beijo means “kiss” in Portuguese), KISS Cafe carries dark, medium and light roasts and coffee mugs . A cheeseboard shaped like a turntable is a great gift idea for music fans. Get it while you still can. A “wicked” cup collaboration worth celebrating. Stanely’s Wicked -inspired Thirst Quencher includes pink and green sizes of the 40z and 30z tumblers. Stressed? Theragun Mini can fit in a small bag or purse for immediate back, neck and muscle relief (available in black, dessert rose, pink, green and blue). A cozy blanket needs to be on every holiday gift list. Elton John and Stalkin + Co. collaborated on this lovely collection of fragrant candles. Why wouldn’t the Queen of Christmas has her own Barbie doll (and holiday merch )? The Mariah doll is ready to deck the halls with boughs of holly. Sonic Edition releases rare photos of beloved artists including Oasis, Madonna, Prince, Tina Turner and other music icons. This black-and-white snapshot of Oasis’ Noel and Liam Gallagher at the Columbia Hotel a day after they were banned in 1994. Apple’s iPhone 10 is lighter and faster than the previous model and the screen is 30 percent larger. HP’s convertible Chromebook has a near-perfect customer rating. The Chromebook Plus feature a 14-inch display screen and powerful Intel Core processor. An easy way to keep your money secured. The card holder is great space-saver for attending concerts and music festivals. Digital pics are nice, but it’s good to have photos that you can hold in hand (or stick on the wall). Cannon’s Mini Photo printer makes that possible. Sony’s ZV-1F Vlog Camera is a user-friendly, starter camera for vlogging and content creation. Beats Studio Pro headphones lasts for up to 40 hours, but what I like most about them, besides the sound quality, is that they’re foldable and easily connect to iOS or Android. Wrong answers only! Mistaken Lyrics Coasters will make a fun gift option or stocking stuffer and a great conversation-starter. Gifties for Swifties! Taylor Swift Style takes fans on a journey through the pop star’s fashion evolution. A keepsake journal for music memories. The Concert Journal includes writing prompts for you to take note of things like ticket prices, venues, quotes from concerts and your favorite memories. Dave Matthews The Dreaming Tree red wine offers a smooth and tasty, blend of wines with notes of raspberry, caramel oak and mixed berry. Dolly Parton’s has wine too! Her chardonnay mixes white peach and lemon zest with a hint of pineapple. Foster & Grant is a whiskey collab between Michale Bublé and distillers Paul Circa. The 84-proof, rye whiskey is distilled in Kentucky. A truly portable blender with USB charging and LED lighting. The Nutribullet Flip is powered by a 11.1V high-torque motor that lets you blend on the go. This blender can also be used as a tumbler cup (it keeps beverages cold for up to 24 hours). An interactive gift for rock fans featuring 64 guitars from rock history. Razer’s Ornata V3 X is described as a “lowkey” keyboard for a quiet and comfortable gaming session. For podcasting and recording, this bestselling Shure microphone comes equipped with voice isolation ideal for recording in not-so-quiet spaces. Not your average board game. Arcade1 Up Infinity Gaming Table features 50, digitized games including Monopoly 9, Battleship, Candyland, Checkers, Backgammon, Chutes and Ladders, Connect 4, Game of Life, Fling Hockey, Hungry, Hungry Hippos, Mahjong Deluxe, Mancala, Memory Matching Game and Mini Fini Football.Dividend Investors: Top Canadian Energy Stocks for December

Best Bets for NCAA Basketball Picks Against the Spread for Monday, November 25An energized SMU squad will carry a three-game winning streak against up-and-down Virginia in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for each team on Saturday in Dallas. The game is the first for the Mustangs' basketball team as a member of one of the nation's perennial powerhouse leagues, but don't expect SMU (7-2) to wilt in the spotlight. The Mustangs lambasted Alabama State 101-72 on Tuesday in their most recent outing. Their two losses came against Butler on the road by 11 points and against Mississippi State at home by five. Kario Oquendo poured in a season-high 20 points to lead seven SMU scorers in double figures in the win over Alabama State. Matt Cross added 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Mustangs while Samet Yigitoglu and Chuck Harris scored 12 points apiece. Yohan Traore and B.J. Edwards each had 11 and Jerrell Colbert hit for 10. "I think it's finally getting to the point where we are starting to figure out how to play as a team," Oquendo said. "You can see it from game to game. We're getting better, and every practice, we're getting better. I believe the more games we play together, the more the things start coming together." SMU is second in scoring per game in the ACC (averaging 88.3 points) and assists per game (16.4). The Mustangs lead the ACC in rebound margin (plus-10.9), total rebound average (43.3 per game) and offensive rebounds (15.2 a game) -- all in all, an impressive start to their campaign. Boopie Miller is the SMU leader in scoring average (15.6 points per game) and assists (5.8), with Cross the top rebounder (7.5 per game). The Cavaliers (5-3) head to Dallas after an 87-69 loss at No. 13 Florida on Wednesday in the SEC/ACC Challenge. Elijah Saunders scored 19 points for Virginia while Isaac McKneely added 12 points -- all on 3-pointers. The Cavaliers, however, had no answer for the Florida defense, committing 15 turnovers that led to 20 points for the Gators. Virginia led 18-9 early but were down by four at halftime. They got to within a point after a deep basket by Saunders in the opening minute of the second half, but that was as close as the Cavaliers would come. "Overall, I was very, very pleased with the first half," Virginia interim coach Ron Sanchez said. "I think that we handled adversity well. This group is on its way of becoming who they're going to be. It's painful growth, but you grow nonetheless." McKneely leads the Cavaliers with 13.1 points per game, followed by Saunders at 10.3. Jacob Cofie is the top rebounder at 6.4 per game, while Andrew Rohde has a team-best average of three assists. The teams have met just once before, with the Cavaliers outlasting SMU 76-73 in the semifinals of the Corpus Christi Challenge on Nov. 29, 2013. --Field Level Media

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